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National Nuclear Policy, 2064 (2007)
1.
Background
The world community has been involved in the study and research of
nuclear science as the entire world is familiar with the fact that the level
of nuclear science is an indicator of inherent power and symbol of
prosperity of a nation. Moreover, the fact is obvious that some
international organizations such as International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) are working to accelerate and extend the contribution of atomic
energy for improving human health and raising the living standard of the
people significantly through the peaceful use of nuclear technology. In
the context of making maximum use of nuclear science in basic research
in sector of food and agriculture, health, energy, industry, geo-science,
geochemistry, geo-physics and pollution measurement, it is useful for
Nepal, too, to achieve better results on such sectors by utilizing nuclear
technology for peaceful purposes.
Importance
of nuclear
technology
has
increased
since
it
is
environmentally friendly and may be useful in different disciplines of
medicines. As well as it would be a better alternative to minimize the
short supply of mineral fuels and to reduce severe environmental impact
caused by large scale hydroelectric power projects.
Nepal being surrounded by several nuclear power plants in its neighbour
and in the context of their number being continuously increased, Nepal
can not remain untouched from any kinds of nuclear accidents that may
occur in its neighborhood and therefore, it is urgent to make necessary
measurements on the present status of radiation level and there should be
regular monitoring and evaluation and proper safety measures in this
regard should be taken. Moreover, there is an urgent need to well inform
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the general public regarding the benefits and consequences of nuclear
science.
Nepal as a peace loving country has already signed Nuclear-NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
with the commitment of using nuclear energy in improving human
health, world peace, and prosperity and not for military activities. In this
context, it is urgent for the country like Nepal to adopt timely, dynamic
and appropriate policy in the field of nuclear science.
2.
Vision
Realizing the importance of peaceful use of nuclear energy and the
outcomes achieved so far from its study and research, it shall be used for
the economic and social prosperity.
3.
Major Mission
To make proper use of nuclear energy by its development, research and
necessary control only for peaceful utilization.
4.
Objectives
4.1
To enhance overall national welfare through peaceful use of
nuclear science undertaking its research and development for the
economic and social prosperity of the country.
4.2
To regulate, control and monitor the use of nuclear energy as per
IAEA guidelines.
4.3
To enhance national capacity by developing, expanding and
promoting human resources and physical infrastructures related
with nuclear science.
4.4
To take sufficient safety measures for the development and use of
nuclear energy and to enhance public awareness about benefits
and consequences of it.
5.
Policy
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5.1
To adopt policy and programmemes for peaceful use of nuclear
energy as per its nature and pervasiveness and maintain
coordination and balance between mutual effects of its
programmeme and policy in economic, social, educational,
cultural, industrial, foreign and agricultural policy.
5.2
To develop, promote and encourage research and development
activities on nuclear energy, taking into consideration its
pursuable fundamental, applied and educational aspects in an
appropriate way through suitable, available and all possible
measures.
5.3
To pay due attention to the goal oriented nuclear energy research
activities that can play vital role for social and economic
development.
5.4
To give due emphasis in the programmes such as proper
development of food, agriculture, medicine, industry and water
resources, study in geo-science, geo-chemistry, geo-physics
disciplines, measurements of environment pollution level and
radiation level and proper monitoring and identification of
mineral ores for bringing them in use.
5.5
In order to extend academic study, research and knowledge in the
field of nuclear energy, to make aim achieving efforts effective by
involving the academic institutions including universities and
other institutions working in this field.
5.6
To develop proper legal and institutional mechanism for the
development and peaceful use of nuclear energy. While doing
this, pay due attention on matters of safety aspects of export,
import, purchase, sale, storage, transport, utilization and radiation
of uranium and other radioactive materials.
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5.7
To enhance bilateral and multilateral mutual relation and
cooperation in the management of residual material of radioactive
elements after their utilization in atomic energy development for
peaceful purpose in regional and international field.
5.8
To set national standard having fixed quantitative measurement of
radiation level in food materials.
5.9
To follow internationally accepted safety measures in the
development and use of nuclear energy. To improve the condition
of natural habitats maintaining environmental balance by keeping
harmony with nature
5.10 To develop high level human resources in the field of nuclear
science and give due emphasis in the development of capable
manpower for the fulfillment of immediate need.
5.11 To utilize human resources available in governmental and nongovernmental sectors, universities and research laboratories of the
country in an integrated and multidimensional basis and to
conclude necessary agreements to collaborate with concerned
international organizations and institutions.
5.12 To develop capability that can select, accept, adjust, use, maintain
and mobilize technology relating to nuclear energy.
5.13 To use all possible measures for raising awareness among the
general public concerning Nuclear Energy.
5.14 To establish national level information system for collection,
storage and dissemination of information in the field of nuclear
science.
6.
Sectoral Work Policy
6.1
Research and Development
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6.1.1 Farmers shall be encouraged towards professional farming
techniques to produce seeds of higher breeds by creating
genetic diversity in food crops with the help of ionizing
radiation.
6.1.2 Nuclear technology shall be properly utilized in pest
control and production of chemical fertilizer.
6.1.3 For fostering research and development programme in the
field of nuclear science, proper research and development,
management,
substantial
investment
and
suitable
institutional structure shall be put in order.
6.1.4 Laboratories, research institutions and research units shall
be gradually established for making research and
development more effective in the prioritized sectors.
6.1.5 Emphasis
shall
development
be
aspects
given
for
the
of
nuclear
treatment
medicines
and
using
radioisotopes.
6.1.6 Emphasis shall be given in the research of irradiation of
food materials.
6.1.7 Infrastructures shall be developed gradually for the
establishment of research reactor.
6.1.8 Research
works
shall
be
conducted
in
mutual
collaboration of academic and industrial sectors to
enhance production of industrial sector with the use of
nuclear technology.
6.1.9 Research works on basic and technical knowledge of
computer interfacing mechanism applied to nuclear
instrumentation shall be carried out.
6.1.10 Emphasis shall be given in conducting nuclear science
related research on curative aspects of animal and fish
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diseases, as well as their reproduction and feedstock
aspects.
6.1.11 Necessary arrangement shall be made to preserve rare
seeds and animals from being disappeared.
6.2
Human Resources Development
6.2.1 Mutual
coordination
shall
be
made
effective
by
maintaining balance with nuclear policy and other
policies.
6.2.2 Nuclear study and research shall be made an integral part
of higher studies in science and technology. Suitable
curriculum shall be developed to fulfill the need of nuclear
science study.
6.2.3 Due consideration shall be given in the preparation of
curriculum of nuclear studies to generate human resources
of special qualification and efficiency on nuclear physics,
nuclear
chemistry,
radiobiology,
nuclear
medicine,
radiotherapy and radiation security.
6.2.4 An arrangement for special training and education shall be
made for the production of highly qualified and capable
workers, managers, scientists and technicians level
professional qualification, requires for the capability and
overall skill.
6.2.5 Research work shall be encouraged by tying up the
prioritized areas at different levels of study and teaching
with the subjects of comparative benefit of the country.
6.3
Promotion and Extension
Existing means of communication shall be used pervasively to
well inform the general public for creating positive attitude
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towards peaceful use of nuclear energy, its status, consequences
and the areas of benefits.
6.4
Data and Information System
6.4.1 Periodic survey on the possibilities of further development
of nuclear energy shall be carried out and information
thereof shall be updated.
6.4.2 Database shall be established for effective operation of
collection of data and scientific information relating to
nuclear energy and their dissemination.
6.5
Radiation Study and Monitoring
6.5.1 Radiation map shall be prepared by actually measuring
and studying background radiation level of different parts
of the country.
6.5.2 Radiation measuring units shall be established gradually at
different places of the country for the monitoring and
collecting data of radiation level.
6.5.3 On the basis of radiation map, excavation of mineral ore
deposits following survey and exploration work shall be
carried out for the development of nuclear science.
6.6
International Relation and Mutual Cooperation
Bilateral and multilateral mutual cooperation related to nuclear
science shall be promoted at the international level to exchange
information and experiences in nuclear sector, to gain expertise,
to make the country move with the development stream of
international community.
6.7
Human Safety and Health
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6.7.1 Basic safety measures of international standards shall be
adopted in carrying out works related to nuclear energy
mobilization and transportation of radioactive materials,
use of ionizing radiation in any form and management of
radioactive materials after their use. While doing this, the
system that has least impact in the environment and human
health shall be adopted.
6.7.2 International standard and convention of radio safety
measures shall be adopted while carrying out improvement
in health status of common people. Moreover, appropriate
methodology for curing disease, utilizing nuclear medicine,
radio-immunology, radio therapy, radio pharmaceutical
and technology for preparing nuclear medicines shall be
developed.
6.7.3 Necessary standards for the safe utilization of radioactive
materials shall be developed and implemented.
6.8
Industrial Use
6.8.1 Nuclear energy contained in the form of radioactive
materials and radiation shall be used for enhancing the
capacity and quality of different industrial materials.
6.8.2 Radioactive materials shall be used for various purposes in
the form of radioactive tracer element.
6.9
Use of Radio Isotopes
6.9.1 Electronic
instrumentation
facilities
for
utilizing
radioisotopes in nuclear medicine shall be developed in the
medical sector.
6.9.2 Research level reactor shall be established for the
production of radio isotopes to be used in medical sector.
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6.9.3 Radio isotopes shall be used in increasing animal
population and in improving their health.
6.10 Radiation in Food Materials
6.10.1 Coordination
amongst
concerned
sectors
shall
be
established for data collection, study and research for
setting national standard of nuclear radiation in food
materials
6.10.2 Samples of imported food materials shall be tested and
controlled on a regular basis.
6.10.3 Irradiation technology shall be used for the storage of food
materials to make them free of germs and also for
lengthening storage period.
7.
Institutional Structure
In the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, there shall be
"Nuclear Steering Committee" for providing necessary directives and
guidance regarding the implementation of National Nuclear Policy for
long term basis. The committee may form technical committees
including experts as required. Composition of Nuclear Steering
Committee shall be as follows:
Hon. Minister/State Minister, Ministry of
Environment, Science and Technology
- Chairperson
Hon. Member, National Planning Commission
(Concerned sector)
- Member
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Science
and Technology
- Member
Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Member
Secretary, Ministry of Defense
- Member
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Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Member
Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and
Supplies
- Member
Secretary, Ministry
Cooperatives
- Member
of
Agriculture
and
Secretary, Nepal Academy of Science and
Technology
- Member
Chief, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur
- Member
Chief, B.P. Koirala Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur
- Member
Head of central department of
Tribhuvan
University,
Physics
Department
- Member
physics,
Central
Two experts nominated by the Government of
Nepal from the Atomic Sector
- Member
Scientific Advisor, Ministry of Environment,
Science and Technology
- Member
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment,
Science and Technology
- Member-Secretary
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology shall have the role of
promoter, regulator and facilitator in implementation of this policy.
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